Atomizing apparatus.



Patntad July I, I902.

N0. 703,6". J. ROBERTSON.

ATOMIZING APPARATUS.

(Application flied Apr. 11, 1898.)

2 Sheets-Shut I.

(No Model.)

Nu. 703,6". Patented July I, I902.

J. ROBERTSON.

ATOMIZING APPARATUS. {Application filed Apr. 11, 1898.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Jliorney ms mums PETERS co. wow-urge" wAsNinc'mN, 0 a.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN ROBERTSON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

ATOMIZING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 703,611, dated July 1, 1902.

Application filed April 11,1898. fierial No. 677,191. (No model.) I

To aZZ whom it may concern: Be it known that I, JOHN ROBERTSON, a citizen of the United States," residing at-Oincinclaimed in my United States Letters Patent No. 549,822, dated November 12, 1895,is a type; and the object of my invention is to improve and simplify the construction of the apparatus so as to make it more compact and less liable to be broken, and also to render it capable of better and more convenient use, especially in treating affections of the lungs, throat, and ear by massage.

My invention consists in an atomizing or vaporizing apparatus comprising a tank or reservoir for containing air under pressure, a standard extending up from said tank or reservoir andprovided with an air duct or passage communicating with the tank or reservoir, and vaporizing or atomizing devices supported on said standard above thetank or reservoir, said vaporizing or atomizing devices being supplied with air for the forma} tion of vapor from the air duct or passageinthe standard.

My invention also contemplates cert'ain novel features of the construction, 'combina-n tion, and arrangement of the several parts of.

the improved atomizing and vaporizing appa ratus, whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device is made simpler, cheaper, and otherwise better adapted and more convenient for use, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention carefully defined in the claims.

In order that my improvements may be the better understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings an apparatus constructed according to my invention, in which draw- 1ngs- I Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus; and Fig. 2 is a plan view, drawn to an enlarged scale, of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section taken axially will be through the apparatus in the plane of the mix ing-flask, the lower portion of the air tank or reservoirbeing omitted. Fig. 4is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section taken horijzontally through the apparatus in the plane indicated by the line a a in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional view drawn to an enlarged scale and showingthe construction of the valve for controlling the flow of vapor from the mixingfiask, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the valve-plug removed.

In the 'views, 1 indicates the air tank or reservoir, made from drawn metal of suitable proportions and strength, and having at one side, as herein shown, a coupling 2 for the connection of an air-pump, (not shown,) by means 'ofwhich the compressed air may be forced into the tank. The tank is of cylin drical form and at the central part of the top thereof is arranged a threaded socket3 to re ceive the threaded lower end 4 of a standard 5', whioh'extends up above the tank or reservoir in alinement with the axis thereof, and serves to support the vaporizing or atomizing devices, as will be hereinafter described.

The standard 5 is of tubular form, being provided withan axial duct or passage, the lower end of which is adapted for communication with the air tank or reservoir, said duct orpassage being preferably controlled by a valve 6 in a well-known way. The duct or passage extends up through the standard and serves .tosupply air for the formation of vapor-to the vaporizing devices, and said passage connects at its upper end with an extension 7, leading to a pressure-gage 8, serving to indicate the pressure of the air confined in the tank when the cock is opened. The standard 5 is also provided with a connection (shown at 10 in Fig. 1) controlled by a valve 11 and adapted for receiving a rubber hose 12, by which means compressed air may be supplied from the duct or passage of the desired to use such a device for administering a simple spray of some liquid other than apparatus. In some cases also the connection to the hose 12 and the connection 2 omitted. The valve 11 permits the flow of air from the those contained in the atomizing-flasks of the 10 may be utilized in lieu of the connection 2, in which case the air-pump will be coupled ICO connection to the hose 12 to be conveniently controlled or cut oft" at will.

From the air duct or passage at the upper part of the standard 5 radiate a series of pipes 13, there being five of these pipes, as herein shown, although, as will be obvious, any desired number may be employed, and the flow of air through each pipe 13 from the air duct or passage is controlled by a cock 14. Each pipe 13 is connected at its outer end by an elbow 15 with a pipe 16, which extends downwardly and connects with a coupling 17, the air supplied through pipes 13 and 16 being delivered to an atomizing-tube 18', fitted into the lower end of pipe 16 and extending down into an atomizing-flask 19, held at its neck by a socket 20, screwing on a threaded portion of the coupling 17. The construction of these parts is substantially similar to that shown in my before-mentioned patent,and the lower end of the tube 18 dips into the liquid contained in the flask 19, and when the air is permitted to flow through the pipe 13 the liquid contained in the flask will be vaporized in a well-known way, the vapor rising around the tube 18 and escaping through the coupling 17 to a pipe 21, alined with but beneath the pipe 13 and controlled by a valve 22.

The pipes 21 of the several atomizing devices extend inward radially toward the standard 5 and connect at their inner converging ends, as seen in Fig. 4, with an annular vapor-passage 24, formed in a head or enlargement 23 of the standard, located beneath the points of connection of the pipes 13 of the standard and surrounding the axial air duct or passage in the standard. \Vith the vapor-passage 24 connects a vapor-pipe 25, which extends out radially from the head 24 of the standard and connects with a coupling 26, which is also connected to a valve-casing :27, located above it and provided with a valve 28, controlling the supply of air to said casing, and therethrough to the coupling 26 from the pipe 29, which extends inward radially over and in alinement with the pipe 25 to the air duct or passage of standard 5, with which it is adapted for communication.

The coupling 26 connects by a radial pipe 30, alined axially with pipe 25, with a coup ling 31, beneath and in communication with which is arranged the mixing flask or chamber of the apparatus, to which the vapors from the vapor-passage 24 are carried by way of the pipe 25, the flask 32 being provided at its neck with a threaded connection 33 to screw on a threaded part of the coupling 31,

the construction of the parts 31, 32, and 33 corresponding substantially to that of the parts 17, 19, and 20, above referred to.

A vapor-tube 34 depends into the flask 32, having its upper end arranged for communication with the upper part 35 of the coupling 31, so that the vapor from the mixing-flask may be carried up into said upper part 35, above which is arranged a pressure-gage 36 for indicating the pressure or tension of the vapor in the mixing-flask. The part 35 connects by a pipe 37 with a valve-easing 40, (see Figs. 3 and 5,) wherein is arranged a plug-valve 38, having a plurality of slotted ports 39, through which the vapor from said pipe 37 passes as the plug is turned into a nipple 41, with which is connected a hose 42, through which the vapor may be conveniently administered.

The valve-plug 38 is formed at its upper end with a disk-like head or plate 43, whereon is formed a handle 44, by means of which the valve may be conveniently manipulated to cut off or turn on the flow of vapor, and at one side said disk or plate 43 is formed with a slotted opening 45, (see Figs. 2 and 6,) with which engages a pin 46, removably held in a socket in the valve-casing, so that when desired the rotatory movement of the valve play may be limited, the plug being then turned in either direction until stopped by the pin to cut off or turn on the flow. In this way both the force and the duration of the inipulse can be accurately controlled.

As shown clearly in the drawings, there are five of the atomizing-flasks 19, and these, together with the mixing-flask 32, are preferably arranged in an annular or circular series surrounding the central supportingstandard 5, the air and vapor pipes 13, 21, 25, and 29 radiating from said standard and carrying air from the air-duct thereof for the formation of the vapor, and also carrying the vapor from the flasks 19 to the mixing-flask 32. By this construction and arrangement it will be seen that the apparatus is made exceedingly strong and compact, so as not to be liable to be broken or damaged, and it will also be seen that the use of rubber hose for connecting the vaporizing devices with the air-supply is altogether avoided.

In using the apparatus the flasks 19 are each supplied with a proper liquid, and when in place the valves 14 and 22 are so manipulated as to cause the liquid in the flasks to be vaporized, the vapor passing to the vaporpassage 24 and thence by pipes 25 and 30 to the mixing-flask 32. By the use of the cocks 14 and 22 it will be seen that the supply of air to and vapor from either of the flasks 19 may be conveniently regulated orcut off entirely, so that many different vapor combinations of the remedies contained in the flasks applicable to special cases under treatment may be effected, or either remedy may be administered separately, as desired. The cocks 22 when closed effectually prevent vapor being forced back from the vapor-passage 24 into either of the flasks l9, and by closing cocks 14 and 22 prevents any possible evaporation through the tubes and passages when not in use.

By means of the air-pipe 29, controlled by the valve 28, the vapors carried by pipes 25 and 30 to the mixing-flask may be diluted with a suitable volume of air from the air duct or passage, so as to still further adapt the apparatus to diiferences in cases under treatment, and it will also be seen that when it is desired to change the combinations of the several liquids in a vaporized state air may be admitted through said pipe to the mixing-flask, the valves 22 having first been closed, so as to force the vaporfrom the mix-.

ing-flask and leave it ready to receive the new combination-vapor.

By means of the valve 38 it will be seen that vapor from the mixing-flask may be administered to the patient either in a continuous flow or intermittently, the pin 46, which limits the movement of the valve, being preferably employed when either of these operations is to be eifected, or, if desired, massage of the membranes to betreated may be effected more rapidly by rotating the plug after the removal of the pin 46, such rotation producing a rapidly pulsating or vibrating current of vapor or air through the hose 42, the frequency of the pulsations being completely under control of the operator. When the vibrating valve 38 is open, the vapor flows freely through the hose 42, and the indicator of the vapor-gage stands at zero, no matter what the pressure in the air-receiver and airtubes may be. When the valve 38 is closed, the pressure will accumulate in the flasks and the indicator on gage 36 rise. As the valve 38 is rotated the compressed vapor will be released suddenly each time one of the openings therethrough registers with the openings in the pipe 37 and the nipple 41. The valve may be rotated fast or slow to. give a short, quick, or more prolonged impulse, and the gage shows the pressure at each impulse. Thegage 36 thus forms a convenient index to enable the operator to observe at all times the tension of the vapor or air in the mixing-flask irrespective of the air-pressure in the tank or reservoir 1, which is indicated by gage 8, so that the exact pressure of the vapor or air administered to the patient maybe known and regulated with the utmost preclsion.

From the above description it will be seen that the apparatus constructed according to my invention is of an extremely simple,compact, and inexpensive nature and is constructed in such a manner as to render it especially well adapted for use in the treatment of diseases of the lungs, throat,"ear,&c., and it will also be obvious from the above description that the apparatus is capable of some modification without material departure from the scope and spirit of my invention, and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise.

of the several parts under pressure,a standard extending up from" air tank or reservoir and mounted thereon, a

series of pipes radiating from said standard, atomizing-flasks arranged in annular series about said standard, and having vaporizingtubes supplied from said pipes,means to carry the vapor from said flasks and valves controlling the flow of air and vapor through said pipes, substantially as set forth.

3. A vaporizing or atomizing apparatus comprising a series of flasks each having a vaporizing-tube, a pipe to supply air to each tube, a valve to controlthe passage of air to each flask independent of the other flasks in the series, a pipe to carry the vapor from each flask and a valve to control the passage of vapor from each flask independent'of the other flasks, substantially as set forth.

4. A vaporizing or atomizing apparatus comprising a series of atomizing-flasks each having a vaporizing-tube and means to supply air to said tube, a valve to control the passage of air to each flask, a mixing-flask or chamber to receive the vapors from the several flasks, means to administer the vapors from the mixing flask or chamber, a pipe to carry the vapor from each atomizing flask or chamber, and a valve, to control the passage of the vapor, interposed between the mixingflask and each atomizing-flask, substantially as set forth.

5. A vaporizing or atomizing apparatus comprising a standard having an air duct or passage, adapted for communication with an air tank or reservoir, a series of atomizingflasks having vaporizing-tubes connected to the air duct or passage of the standard, said standard having a vapor-passage surrounding said air duct or passage, pipes to carry the vapor from the atomizing-flasks to said vapor-passage,valves in said pipes,and means passage, a valve in each of said pipes and means to administer the vapor, substantially as set forth.

7. A vaporizing or atomizing apparatus, comprisingaseries of atomizing-flasks having vaporizing-tubes and means to supply air to said tubes, a mixing flask or chamber to receive the vapors from said atomizing-flasks, means to administer the vapor from said mixing flask or chamber, and means to supply air under pressure to said mixing flask or chamber independent of the atomizing-flasks and tubes, for the purposes specified, substantially as set forth.

S. A vaporizing or atomizing apparatus comprising a support having an air duct or passage, adapted for communication with an air tank or reservoir, a series of atomizingflasks each having a vaporizing-tube, a pipe connecting each vaporizing-tube to the air duct or passage of the support, a mixing flask or chamber,pipes connectingthe several atomizing-flasks with said mixing flask or chamber, valves in said pipes, means to administer the vapor from the mixing flask or chamber, and a valved pipe leading from the air duct or passage of the support to the mixing flask or chamber, substantially as set forth.

9. A vaporizing or atomizing apparatus comprising a standard having an air duct or passage adapted for communication with an air tank or reservoir, and provided with a vapor-passage surrounding said air duct or passage, a plurality of atomizing-fiasks, pipes radiating from the standard and supporting at their outer ends said flasks, vaporizing-tubes in the flasks and supplied with air through said pipes from the air duct or passage in the standard, vapor-pipes radiating from the vapor-passage and communicating between said passage and the atomizing-flasks, valves in said vapor-pipes, a mixing-flask having a pipe connecting it to the vapor-passage and means to administer the vapor from said mixingflask, the said flasks being arranged in annular series around said standard, substantially as set forth.

10. In a vaporizing or atomizing apparatus, the combination of a series of atomizingflasks, a mixing flask or chamber to receive the vapors from said atomizing-flasks, a hose or the like through which to administer the vapor from the mixing flask or chamber, and a rotative valve controlling the flow of vapor through said hose, said valve being provided with a plurality of transverse openings and acting when rotated to produce a pulsating flow of vapor through said hose, substantially as set forth.

11. In an atomizing or vaporizing apparatus, the combination of a plurality of atomizing-flasks, a mixing flask or chamber to receive the vapors from said atomizing-flasks, a hose or the like through which to administer the vapor from the mixing flask or chamber, a rotative valve controlling the flow of vapor through said hose and provided with a plurality of openings adapted to register with the opening in the hose and acting, when rotated, to produce a pulsating flow of vapor through said hose, and means to limit the rotatory movement of the valve, substantially as set forth.

12. In an atomizing or vaporizing apparatus, the combination of a plurality of atomizing-flasks, a mixing flask or chamber to receive the vapors from said atomizing-fiasks, a hose or the like through which to administer the vapor from the mixing flask or chamber, a rotative valve for controlling the flow of vapor through said hose and provided with a plurality of openings adapted to register with the openings in the outlet, and acting when rotated, to produce a pulsating flow of vapor through said hose, means to limit the rotatory movement of the valve, and a pressuregage to indicate the tension of the vapor in the mixing flask or chamber, substantially as set forth.

13. In a nebulizer, the combination with an air-tube receiving air under pressure, of a nebula-tube, a flask connected to said nebulatube, a stop-cock between the flask and nebula-tube, a connecting-pipe between the flask and air-tube, and an independent stop-cock controlling said pipe, substantially as described.

14. In a nebulizer, the combination with an air-tube receiving air under pressure, of a nebula-tube, a plurality of flasks independently connected to the nebula-tube each having an independent cock controlling the passage from the flask to the nebula-tube, and a plurality of connecting-pipes each connecting a flask with the air-tube and each pipe being provided with an independent cock, substantially as described.

JOHN ROBERTSON.

lVitnesses:

JAMES N. RAMSEY, J. 13. BRODBERGER. 

